The Wales winger landed awkwardly on his right foot during a challenge with David Degen late on and left on a stretcher, clearly distressed.

Bale is Tottenham's top-scorer this season with 22 goals and they have not won a match in which he has not scored since 1 January.

Spurred into a fightback

Tottenham came back from two goals down in a European match for the fourth time and for the first time since December 2008 when they drew 2-2 with Spartak Moscow

Any prolonged absence for the 23-year-old could have a significant impact on his side's European and domestic campaigns, with Spurs heading to Basel for the second leg on 11 April and lying third in the Premier League as they seek to qualify for next season's Champions League.

They also lost Aaron Lennon to a first-half injury and William Gallas had to go off towards the end, while Jermain Defoe missed the match with a muscular problem that is set to keep him out for two more games.

Fitness concerns aside, manager Andre Villas-Boas will be pleased with the manner in which his team fought back from two down.

Basel reached last season's Champions League knockout stage at Manchester United's expense and it was easy to see why as a line-up combining youth and experience utilised their slick brand of passing football to hit Tottenham with a series of counter-attacks.

Fabian Schar was first to test Brad Friedel with a stinging drive and Marco Streller was also denied by the Spurs keeper.

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Tottenham tried to respond but Basel's greater threat soon told as Stocker fed Mohamed Salah and he slid a low cross to Streller. The captain hit the post and Stocker converted the rebound.

Tottenham still looked to be rattled by that setback when Basel won a corner, Jan Vertonghen deflected it into the path of Frei and he got away from Naughton to power a diving header across Friedel and into the net.

White Hart Lane was stunned but Tottenham suddenly found the sort of form that had brought them four wins from their previous five home games and it helped them battle back into contention.

Bale pulled out to the right and crossed for Adebayor, who produced an air-shot with his first attempt but then volleyed in from close range following Scott Parker's scuffed effort.

Parker was involved again two minutes later when he appeared to miss an open goal from 10 yards out, although replays showed his tap-in was deflected wide by the foot of grounded team-mate Lewis Holtby.

The second half initially followed a similar pattern and, after Salah was foiled by Friedel, Naughton drew a fine save from Yann Sommer.

As a Leicester City supporter (sinking like a stone), I feel sorry for Spurs who might be on the same track now. Too bad, but Bale went in recklessly for no reason.....can't see them saving their season without their wingers......if only they had Suarez instead of unreliable forwards who couldn't hit a barn door.......nevertheless Spurs have been great to watch this season...thanks for the memory

359 I agree totally , spurs and afc are the 2 most secure business models in the prem and as much as rival banter amuses me, I genuinely respect the way afc do things and believe in the next 10 years afc & thfc will win trophies and seriously contest the Manc clubs. COYS

@341 Wiltshire would warm the subs bench, Clev would be the linchpin. No surprise knowledgeable gaffers like Martinez realise this.@340 Out of the 4 games, Clev has dominated in 2. Compared 2 JW who dominated in 0.

@358 i dont think arsenal fans (and afc fans on here can correct me) justify our recent trophy drought by finishing above spurs, i think its obv in the back of our minds because spurs have moved up a level in recent years but its certainly not what we consider an achievement of some sort. Arsenal are a club with everything in place without the financial suicide that MC and CFC have,

353 I think the point is (bare in mind all true spurs fan know we have been behind you for a couple of decades) is that the gooners -board, manager &fans try to justify their recent lack of success on the fact they finish (to date) finish above spurs... Hardly an achievement for either club to boast about???!

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